Two suspects charged with attempted murder of police officer after head on collision

CLARKSVILLE, IN (WAVE) – A drunk driving suspect hit a police cruiser head on while trying to evade officers.

Mark Palmer, the Chief of Police in Clarksville, said just after 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, officers tried to stop a man driving a SUV on Greentree Boulevard off the Lewis and Clark Parkway in Clarksville. Police suspected the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

As police tried to pull the car over, the driver attempted to evade officers and ended up hitting a police car driven by Officer Jason Tackett head on.

According to Palmer, the suspect's SUV then flipped. The driver and a passenger tried to flee on foot before being apprehended by police.

Officer Tackett was taken to University Hospital for emergency treatment. He is in good condition, Palmer said.

Police arrested two people at the scene. Cody Cashion, 18, and an unidentified juvenile face multiple felony charges including attempted murder of a police officer.

WAVE 3 News Reporter Gordon Boyd saw the aftermath of the car. Officers told him all six airbags in the cruiser deployed on impact and the car spun around and hit the SUV driven by the suspect.

Palmer said information is still being gathered and additional charges may be filed.